Circ_0003356 suppresses gastric cancer growth through targeting the miR-668-3p/SOCS3 axis

BACKGROUND

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) have attracted extensive attention as therapeutic targets in gastric cancer (GC). Circ_0003356 is known to be downregulated in GC tissues, but its cellular function and mechanisms remain undefined.

AIM

To investigate the role of circ_0003356 in GC at the molecular and cellular level.

METHODS

Circ_0003356, miR-668-3p, and SOCS3 expression were assessed via quantitative real time-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Wound healing, EdU, CCK-8, flow cytometry and transwell assays were used to analyze the migration, proliferation, viability, apoptosis and invasion of GC cells. The subcellular localization of circ_0003356 was monitored using fluorescence in situ hybridization. The interaction of circ_0003356 with miR-668-3p was confirmed using RIP-qRT-PCR, RNA pull-down, and dual luciferase reporter assays. We observed protein levels of genes via western blot. We injected AGS cells into the upper back of mice and performed immunohistochemistry staining for examining E-cadherin, N-cadherin, Ki67, and SOCS3 expressions. TUNEL staining was performed for the assessment of apoptosis in mouse tumor tissues.

RESULTS

Circ_0003356 and SOCS3 expression was downregulated in GC cells, whilst miR-668-3p was upregulated. Exogenous circ_0003356 expression and miR-668-3p silencing suppressed the migration, viability, proliferation, epithelial to mesenchy-mal transition (EMT) and invasion of GC cells and enhanced apoptosis. Circ_0003356 overexpression impaired tumor growth in xenograft mice. Targeting of miR-668-3p by circ_0003356 was confirmed through binding assays and SOCS3 was identified as a downstream target of miR-668-3p. The impacts of circ_0003356 on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion and EMT were reversed by miR-668-3p up-regulation or SOCS3 down-regulation in GC cells.

CONCLUSION

Circ_0003356 impaired GC development through its interaction with the miR-668-3p/SOCS3 axis.

[Effects of Straw Returning and Fertilizer Application on Soil Nutrients and Winter Wheat Yield]

In order to explore the effects of straw returning combined with fertilizer on soil nutrients and winter wheat yield in the Guanzhong area, an experimental split plot design was utilized. The main plot consisted of no straw returning (S₀) and straw returning (S). The sub-regions consisted of no fertilizer (WF), nitrogen fertilizer (NF), and nitrogen and phosphate fertilizer (NPF). Ecological stoichiometry was used to study the relationship between soil carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus content, and yield under straw returning combined with nitrogen and phosphorus fertilizer conditions. The results showed that straw and fertilization interactions had significant effects on soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus contents in the surface layer (0-20 cm) (P<0.05). Compared with that in the S₀WF treatment, the SNPF treatment significantly increased soil organic carbon and total nitrogen contents in the surface layer (0-20 cm) (P<0.05). The interaction between straw and year had significant effects on soil total nitrogen content in the surface layer (0-20 cm) (P<0.05). With the increase in straw returning time, the total nitrogen content of soil 0-20 cm under the SWF treatment was significantly higher than that under the S₀WF treatment (P<0.05). Straw and fertilization and their interaction had no significant effects on organic carbon and total nitrogen contents in the 20-40 cm soil layer (P>0.05). Straw and straw interaction with fertilization significantly affected total P content in 20-40 cm soil (P<0.05). Compared with that in the SWF treatment, the SNPF treatment significantly increased the total phosphorus content in the 20-40 cm soil layer (P<0.05). Straw returning combined with chemical fertilizer also had a significant effect on soil stoichiometry. Compared with that in the S₀WF treatment, the S₀NPF treatment decreased soil C:N in the surface layer (0-20 cm) and increased soil C:P and N:P in the surface layer (0-20 cm). Compared with that in the SWF treatment, the SNF treatment reduced soil C:N in the surface layer (0-20 cm). Straw returning combined with chemical fertilizer also had a significant effect on winter wheat yield. In 2020 and 2021, the SNPF treatment increased production by 24.23% and 28.9%, respectively, compared with that of the S₀WF treatment. Correlation analysis showed that yield was significantly positively correlated with C:N (P<0.05) and C:P (P<0.01). At the same time, total nitrogen and N:P were positively correlated with treatment years (P<0.001). In conclusion, straw returning and that combined with nitrogen and phosphate fertilizer (SNPF) can improve soil nutrient characteristics, change soil stoichiometric characteristics, and increase yield in the Guanzhong area. Therefore, the results of this study indicate that straw returning combined with nitrogen and phosphate fertilizer (SNPF) is an effective way to optimize regional farmland nutrient management and improve grain production capacity.

[Effects of Straw Returning and Biochar Application on Summer Maize Yield and Soil N2O Emission in Guanzhong Plain]

Here, we investigated the effects of straw returning combined with biochar application on summer maize yield and soil nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions, based on a field location trial in the Guanzhong Plain from 2019 to 2020. The soil N₂O emission rates were monitored using the static chamber-chromatography method. A comprehensive analysis of summer maize yields, soil N₂O emissions, and soil labile nitrogen components was conducted to clarify the effects of straw returning combined with biochar application on improving soil fertility, increasing summer maize yield, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The three treatments were no straw returning (S₀), straw returning (S), and straw returning combined with biochar application (SB). The results showed that the peak of N₂O emissions from each treatment occurred 10 d after the straw return, and the rate of soil N₂O emissions remained at a low level after 30 d of straw return. The rate of soil N₂O emissions showed highly significant positive correlations (P<0.05) with ammonium nitrogen (NH₄⁺-N), inorganic nitrogen (SIN), microbial nitrogen (MBN), and dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) contents. S significantly increased summer maize yield, cumulative N₂O emissions, yield-scaled N₂O intensity, and total nitrogen (TN) content by 7.4%-13%, 65.8%-132.2%, 54.6%-103%, and 27.8%-33%, respectively, compared to those in S₀. Although the trend for SB to increase summer maize yield (2.5%-3.3%) compared to that in S was not significant (P>0.05), SB significantly reduced cumulative N₂O emissions and yield-scaled N₂O intensity by 24.0%-27.3% and 26.4%-29.2%, respectively, compared to that in S. SB significantly reduced the rate of soil N₂O emissions by 45.1%-69.6% at the peak of N₂O emissions compared to that in S. Biochar application mitigated soil N₂O emissions induced by straw return and had a peak-shaving effect. SB significantly increased soil total N by 9.1%-12.2% compared to that in S. Combining summer maize yield, soil N₂O emissions, and TN content, SB not only improved soil fertility and summer maize yield but also reduced yield-scaled N₂O intensity, making it a suitable management practice that can be replicated to balance crop yield and environmental friendliness.

[Analysis of the pregnancy outcomes in pregnant women with COVID-19 in Hubei Province]

Objective: To study the effect of COVID-19 on pregnancy outcomes and neonatal prognosis in Hubei Province. Method: s A retrospective comparison of the pregnancy outcomes was done between 16 women with COVID-19 and 45 women without COVID-19. Also, the results of laboratory tests, imaging examinations, and the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) nucleic acid test were performed in 10 cases of neonatal delivered from women with COVID-19. Result: s (1) Of the 16 pregnant women with COVID-19, 15 cases were ordinary type and 1 case was severe type. No one has progressed to critical pneumonia.The delivery method of the two groups was cesarean section, and the gestational age were (38.7±1.4) and (37.9±1.6) weeks,there was no significant difference between the two groups (P>0.05). Also, there wee no significant differences in the intraoperative blood loss and birth weight of the newborn between the two groups (all P>0.05). (2) Ten cases of neonates delivered from pregnant women with COVID-19 were collected. The 2019-nCoV nucleic acid test were all negative.There were no significant differences in fetal distress, meconium-stained amniotic fluid, preterm birth, and neonatal asphyxia between the two groups (all P>0.05).(3) In the treatment of uterine contraction fatigue, carbetocin or carboprost tromethamine was used more in cesarean section for pregnant women with COVID-19 (1.3±0.6), compared with Non-COVID-19 group (0.5±0.7),the difference was statistically significant (P=0.001). Conclusions: If there is an indication for obstetric surgery or critical illness of COVID-19 in pregnant women, timely termination of pregnancy will not increase the risk of premature birth and asphyxia of the newborn, but it is beneficial to the treatment and rehabilitation of maternal pneumonia. Preventive use of long-acting uterotonic agents could reduce the incidence of postpartum hemorrhage during surgery. 2019-nCoV infection has not been found in neonates delivered from pregnant women with COVID-19.

Identification of a potential functional single nucleotide polymorphism for fatness and growth traits in the 3'-untranslated region of the PCSK1 gene in chickens

Prohormone convertase 1/3 is a serine endoprotease belonging to the subtilisin-like proprotein convertase family that is encoded by the () gene, and its major function is the processing and bioactivation of the proproteins of many kinds of neuroendocrine hormones, including insulin, cholecystokinin, and adrenocorticotropic hormone. The results of our previous genomewide association study indicated that the gene might be an important candidate gene for fatness traits in chickens. The objectives of this study were to investigate the tissue expression profiles of gene and to identify functional variants associated with fatness and growth traits in the chicken. The results indicated that mRNA was widely expressed in various tissues, especially neuroendocrine and intestinal tissues. Of these 2 tissue types, mRNA expression in lean males was significantly higher than in fat males. A SNP in the 3' untranslated region of (c.*900G > A) was identified. Association analysis in the Arbor Acres commercial broiler population and Northeast Agricultural University broiler lines divergently selected for abdominal fat content (NEAUHLF) population showed that the SNP c.*900G > A was associated with abdominal fat weight, abdominal fat percentage, BW, metatarsus length, and metatarsal circumference. In the 5th to 19th generation (G to G) of NEAUHLF, the allele frequency of c.*900G > A changed along with selection for abdominal fat content. At G, allele G of c.*900G > A was predominate in the lean line, whereas allele A was predominate in the fat line. Functional analysis demonstrated that allele A of c.*900G > A reduced mRNA stability and consequently downregulated gene expression. These results suggested that c.*900G > A was a functional SNP for fatness and growth traits in the chicken. The results of this study provide basic molecular information for the role of gene in avian growth and development, especially obesity.

Expression analysis of bone morphogenetic protein 4 between fat and lean birds in adipose tissue and serum

The objectives of the present study were to characterize the tissue expression of chicken (Gallus gallus) bone morphogenetic protein 4 (BMP4) and compare differences in its expression in abdominal fat tissue and serum between fat and lean birds and to determine a potential relationship between the expression of BMP4 and abdominal fat tissue growth and development. The results showed that chicken BMP4 messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein were expressed in various tissues, and the expression levels of BMP4 transcript and protein were relatively higher in adipose tissues. In addition, the mRNA and protein expression levels of BMP4 in abdominal fat tissue of fat males were lower than those of lean males at 1, 2, 5, and 7 wk of age (P < 0.05). Furthermore, the serum BMP4 content of fat males was lower than that of lean males at 7 wk of age (P < 0.05). BMP4 mRNA expression levels were significantly higher in preadipocytes than those in mature adipocytes (P < 0.05), and the expression level decreased during differentiation in vitro (P < 0.05). These results suggested that chicken BMP4 might affect abdominal fat deposition through differences in its expression level. The results of this study will provide basic molecular information for studying the role of BMP4 in the regulation of adipogenesis in avian species.

Increased risk of preterm delivery in areas with air pollution from a petroleum refinery plant in Taiwan

The petrochemical and petroleum industries are among the main sources of industrial air pollution in Taiwan. Data in this study concern outdoor air pollution and the health of individuals living in communities in close proximity to a petroleum refinery plant. The prevalence of delivery of preterm birth infants was significantly higher in mothers living in a petroleum refinery area compared to controls in Taiwan. After controlling for several possible confounders (including maternal age, season, marital status, maternal education, and infant sex), the adjusted odds ratio was 1.41 (95% CI = 1.08-1.82) for delivery of preterm infants in the polluted region. Data support the view that air pollution can affect the outcome of pregnancy.

Waveforms of the ductus venosus blood flow in normal human fetuses aged 8-38 weeks

BACKGROUND

We attempted to establish normal Doppler flow velocity waveform patterns in the human fetal ductus venosus (DV), and also to establish a standardized measurement technique.

METHODS

Ductus venosus blood flow was measured in a prospective study involving 545 fetuses aged between 8 and 38 weeks in utero, the mothers of whom received prenatal care in Kaohsiung Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in a 12-month period in 1998-1999. Several DV hemodynamic parameters were assessed, including peak systolic velocity (DVP), peak systolic/diastolic (S/D) ratio, time-averaged velocity (TAMX), maximum velocity during atrial contraction (DVM), pulsatility index (PI), Pourcelot's resistance index (RI), and fetal heartbeat (FHB).

RESULTS

Technically acceptable ductus venosus blood flow velocity waveform patterns were collected from 490 of 545 pregnant women (89.9%). The mean +/- SD value for the peak systolic DV velocity during the time period of 8 to 38 weeks in utero was 0.33 +/- 0.11 meters/sec (m/s), the TAMX being 0.24 +/- 0.09 m/s. The maximum velocity during atrial contraction was 0.15 +/- 0.09 m/s, and the peak S/D velocity ratio was 2.5 +/- 1.01. The PI, Pourcelot's RI and fetal heart beat were, 0.67(+/- 0.21), 0.64 (+/- 0.11), and 163.3 (+/- 18.82 bpm), respectively. Significant increases in DVP, TAMX, and DVM with advancing gestational age were established, and decreases in PI, RI, S/D, and FHB with advancing gestational age were also observed.

CONCLUSIONS

Further investigation of DV hemodynamics throughout pregnancy may enable a greater understanding of normal placental perfusion, the fetal venous return to the heart and associated cardiac function.

Adverse pregnancy outcome in a petrochemical polluted area in Taiwan

The petrochemical industry is the main source of industrial air pollution in Taiwan. Reported here are the results from an ongoing study of outdoor air pollution and the health of individuals living in a community in close proximity to petrochemical industrial complexes. The prevalences of term low birth weight (LBW) in the petrochemical municipality and control municipality were 3.22%, and 1.84%, respectively. After controlling for several possible confounders (including maternal age, season, marital status, maternal education, and infant sex), the adjusted odds ratio was 1.767 (1.002-3.116) for term LBW in the petrochemical municipality. Data provide further support for the hypothesis that air pollution can affect the outcome of pregnancy.

Chlorination of drinking water and sex ratio at birth in Taiwan

Chlorination has been the major strategy for disinfecting drinking water in Taiwan. The objective of the present study was to determine whether the chlorination of drinking water was associated with abnormal sex ratios, an indicator of exposure to pollutants. A "chlorinating municipality" (CHM) was defined as one in which more than 90% of the municipality population was served with chlorinated water. A "nonchlorinating municipality" (NCHM) was one in which less than 5% of the municipality population was served with chlorinated water. The results of this study found no association between the use of chlorinated drinking water and abnormal sex ratios at birth in Taiwan. The imbibing of chlorinated water may not reflect contaminant exposure using sex ratio as a biomonitor.

Association between chlorination of drinking water and adverse pregnancy outcome in Taiwan

Chlorination has been the major means of disinfecting drinking water in Taiwan. The use of chlorinated water has been hypothesized to lead to several adverse birth outcomes, including low birth weight and preterm delivery. We performed a study to examine the relationship between the use of chlorinated water and adverse birth outcomes in Taiwan. The study areas included 14 chlorinating municipalities (CHMs), which were defined as municipalities in which > 90% of the municipal population was served by chlorinated water, and 14 matched nonchlorinating municipalities (NCHMs), defined as municipalities in which < 5% of the municipal population is served by chlorinated water. The CHMs and NCHMs were similar to one another in terms of level of urbanization and sociodemographic characteristics. The study population comprised 18,025 women residing in the 28 municipalities who had a first parity singleton birth between 1 January 1994 and 31 December 1996 and for which complete information on maternal age, education, gestational age, birth weight, and sex of the baby were available. The results of our study suggest that there was no association between consumption of chlorinated drinking water and the risk of low birth weight.

Female lung cancer mortality and sex ratios at birth near a petroleum refinery plant

This study was conducted to assess whether female mortality from lung cancer is associated with residence in communities adjacent to a petroleum refinery plant and whether petroleum air pollution could affect the sex ratios of births. The Kaohsiung Refinery of the Chinese Petroleum Corp. is the oldest oil refinery in Taiwan and is located between the Tso-Ying and the Nan-Tzu municipalities. Standardized mortality ratios (SMRs) for female lung cancer and sex ratios of births were calculated for each municipality for the years 1971-1996. Cumulative-sum techniques were used to detect the occurrence of changes in the SMRs. The study results show that mortality from female lung cancer rose gradually about 30 to 37 years after the operation of a petroleum refinery plant began. However, the association between exposure to the petroleum air pollution and abnormal sex ratios at birth was not significant.

Human placental trophoblasts secrete a disintegrin metalloproteinase very similar to the insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 protease in human pregnancy serum

During the course of human pregnancy, there is a marked increase in insulin-like growth factor (IGF) binding protein (IGFBP)-3 protease activity in maternal serum that is first evident at 6 weeks of gestation, persists through term, and returns to nonpregnancy levels by day 5 postpartum. This protease activity cleaves IGFBP-3 into smaller fragments that have markedly reduced affinity for the IGFs. To date, the precise identity and cellular origin of the pregnancy-associated serum IGFBP-3 protease have not been established. To investigate whether placental and/or decidual tissues, which uniquely develop during pregnancy, may be sources of the pregnancy-associated serum IGFBP protease, we examined the secretion of IGFBP-3 protease in vitro by isolated human cytotrophoblasts or fibroblasts from second trimester placentae and by in vitro decidualized human endometrial stromal cells. Cytotrophoblasts were either cultured alone, which favors aggregation and fusion, or cocultured with decidualized endometrial stromal cells, which favors differentiation to an invasive phenotype. IGFBP-3 protease activity was detected in trophoblast, but not in placental fibroblast or decidualized endometrial cultures, and was also present in trophoblast-endometrial cocultures. Western ligand blot and Western immunoblot analyses showed that most of the endogenous IGFBP-3 in trophoblast cultures was in the form of low molecular weight fragments with reduced IGF binding affinity. The substrate specificity of the trophoblast-derived protease was identical to that in pregnancy serum, showing activity against IGFBP-2, -3, and -4, but being inactive against IGFBP-1. IGFBP-3 proteolysis by both pregnancy serum and trophoblast conditioned medium showed a major peak of activity at neutral pH. The trophoblast-derived activity caused time-and temperature-dependent proteolysis of IGFBP-3 into fragments of identical size as those produced by pregnancy serum, and also shared its sensitivity to protease inhibitors: highly sensitive to EDTA and o-phenanthroline, partially sensitive to the serine protease inhibitors AEBSF and aprotinin, and insensitive to alpha2-antiplasmin, and to aspartic and cysteine protease inhibitors. IGFBP-3 proteolysis by both pregnancy serum and trophoblast conditioned medium was also insensitive to tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1, precluding the involvement of the matrix metalloproteinases. In contrast, both the pregnancy serum- and trophoblast-derived proteases were preferentially inhibited by a hydroxamic acid derivative with selective activity against the disintegrin-metalloproteinase tumor necrosis factor-alpha converting enzyme. This study shows that placental trophoblasts produce an IGFBP-3 protease with characteristics very similar to the activity found in pregnancy serum and indicates these cells at the maternal-fetal interface are a potential source of the pregnancy-associated serum IGFBP-3 protease. The findings further suggest that the main IGFBP-3 protease activity in both pregnancy serum and trophoblast conditioned medium may correspond to a disintegrin-metalloproteinase type enzyme.

Evaluation of the cervical conditions with PGE2 in first and second trimester

The PGE2 vaginal tablet has been introduced for use in term pregnancy. However, its effect in abortion and intrauterine fetal death (IUFD) is still uncertain. So we set up the following processes to research the efficacy of PGE2 in abortion and IUFD. We used PGE2 (3 mg) intravaginally for 12 hours in the patients of the first trimester. Consequently, the induction was achieved in a much shorter period. On the other hand, for patients in the second trimester, we used PGE2 (3 mg) in posterior fornix for 12 hours and PGE2 (1.5 mg) in extra-amnion successively. As a result, the cervical condition ripened more satisfactorily. The time of induction was about 14 to 18 hours in the second trimester, much shorter than the usual time needed. Besides, patients didn't complain of any special symptoms/signs such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, tachycardia, or hypertension. Therefore, we prefer to use this method for induction of the first & second trimester pregnancy including IUFD and abortion.

The facilitatory effect of N-methyl-D-aspartate on sexual receptivity in female rats through GnRH release

The purpose of this study was to examine whether N-methyl-D-aspartate affects the sexual receptivity of female rats. Monosodium L-glutamate was used as a neurotoxin to induce hypogonadal status. Matured normal and monosodium L-glutamate-treated rats were ovariectomized and implanted subcutaneously with estradiol capsules. One week later, lordosis responsiveness was observed before and 10 min after N-methyl-D-aspartate (40 mg/kg of BW, ip) administration. The results showed that N-methyl-D-aspartate caused a remarkable increase of lordosis quotient in control rats but not in monosodium L-glutamate-treated rats. Moreover, the possible action site of N-methyl-D-aspartate in the enhancement of receptivity was evaluated by the post-castrational LH rise, pituitary LH release in response to GnRH, and N-methyl-D-aspartate-evoked GnRH releasability. The results revealed that: (a) serum levels of LH in monosodium L-glutamate-treated rats were lower (p < 0.01) than those of control rats after ovariectomy; (b) there was no significant difference of pituitary LH release responsiveness to GnRH test between two groups; and (c) N-methyl-D-aspartate-evoked LH release in monosodium L-glutamate-treated rats was similar to that in the control rats. In conclusion, N-methyl-D-aspartate may facilitate the sexual receptivity through stimulating GnRH release. The failure of N-methyl-D-aspartate in enhancing receptivity in monosodium L-glutamate-treated rats is probably due to the cellular damage by monosodium L-glutamate on specific areas responsible for lordosis.

[Dysautonomia in Guillaine-Barre syndrome: a clinical analysis of 62 cases]

In present paper, 62 cases of dysautonomia out of 115 patients with GBS. In the clinical manifestations of the dysautonomia, the disorder of heart was most (85.48%), the second was abnormality of the blood pressure and the digestive tract (both 37.1) and the abnormality of sweat and sexual dysfunction would not take less (30.65% and 17.74% respectively). It was also found that there were the facial flushing (4.84%) and abnormal pupilla (6.45%). The sexual dysfunction was firstly reported. Dysautonomia in GBS was higher in young adults (less than 20 years) (P less than 0.01) and that in the severe cases (P less than 0.01). The mortality of patients of GBS with dysautonomia was higher (P less than 0.01). The pathophysiological mechanism and treatment of GBS were discussed.